Shoulder Dystocia

Course overview

Shoulder dystocia is an obstetrical emergency that is occurring at an increasing rate in the United States. It is usually unpredictable and unavoidable, so nurses must be prepared to intervene when shoulder dystocia is suspected. Nurses must understand what shoulder dystocia is, identify the risk factors and causes, recognize the signs of its occurrence, understand how to respond with evidence-based interventions, and be knowledgeable of the health implications related to shoulder dystocia.